A Map of the Invisible: Journeys into the Heart of Particle Physics

What is the universe made of? How do we know? And what don't we know yet? Over the last 60 years, scientists around the world have worked together to explore the fundamental constituents of matter and the forces that govern their behaviour. The result so far is the Standard Model of elementary particles: a theoretical map of the basic building blocks of the universe. A Map of the Invisible is an explorer's guide to the Standard Model and the extraordinary world of particle physics.

Quantum Theory: A Very Short Introduction

Quantum theory is the most revolutionary discovery in physics since Newton. This book gives a lucid, exciting, and accessible account of the surprising and counterintuitive ideas that shape our understanding of the sub-atomic world. It does not disguise the problems of interpretation that still remain unsettled 75 years after the initial discoveries. The main text makes no use of equations, but there is a Mathematical Appendix for those desiring stronger fare.

Time Reborn: From the Crisis in Physics to the Future of the Universe

Lee Smolin, author of the controversial bestseller The Trouble with Physics, argues that a limited notion of time is holding physics back. It's time for a major revolution in scientific thought. The reality of time could be the key to the next big breakthrough in theoretical physics.

What if the laws of physics themselves were not timeless? What if they could evolve? Time Reborn offers a radical new approach to cosmology that embraces the reality of time and opens up a whole new universe of possibilities.

The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Volume 1, Quantum Mechanics

For more than 30 years, Richard P. Feynman's three-volume Lectures on Physics has been known worldwide as the classic resource for students and professionals alike. Ranging from the most basic principles of Newtonian physics through such formidable theories as Einstein's general relativity, superconductivity, and quantum mechanics, Feynman's lectures stand as a monument of clear exposition and deep insight.

Sapiens

Earth is 4.5 billion years old. In just a fraction of that time, one species among countless others has conquered it. Us. We are the most advanced and most destructive animals ever to have lived. What makes us brilliant? What makes us deadly? What makes us sapiens? In this bold and provocative audiobook, Yuval Noah Harari explores who we are, how we got here, and where we're going.

We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Unknown Universe

Many books explain what we know about the universe. This one, from the hugely popular PhD Comics (50 million readers since 2008), tackles all the weird stuff we haven't figured out yet. In our small corner of the universe, we know how some matter behaves most of the time and what even less of it looks like, and we have some good guesses about where it all came from. But we really have no clue what's going on.

The Quantum Story: A History in 40 Moments

Utterly beautiful. Profoundly disconcerting. Quantum theory is quite simply the most successful account of the physical universe ever devised. Its concepts underpin much of the 21st-century technology that we now take for granted. But at the same time it has completely undermined our ability to make sense of the world at its most fundamental level.

The Ascent of Gravity: The Quest to Understand the Force That Explains Everything

Gravity is the weakest force in the everyday world, yet it is the strongest force in the universe. It was the first force to be recognised and described, yet it is the least understood. It is a 'force' that keeps your feet on the ground, yet no such force actually exists. Gravity, to steal the words of Winston Churchill, is 'a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma'. And penetrating that enigma promises to answer the biggest questions in science: what is space? What is time? What is the universe? And where did it all come from?

A Briefer History of Time

Stephen Hawking's worldwide best seller, A Brief History of Time, has been a landmark volume in scientific writing. Its author's engaging voice is one reason, and the compelling subjects he addresses is another: the nature of space and time, the role of God in creation, and the history and future of the universe.

Now: The Physics of Time - and the Ephemeral Moment That Einstein Could Not Explain

You are reading the word
now right now. But what does that mean? What makes the ephemeral moment
now so special? Its enigmatic character has bedeviled philosophers, priests, and modern-day physicists from Augustine to Einstein and beyond. Einstein showed that the flow of time is affected by both velocity and gravity, yet he despaired at his failure to explain the meaning of
now. Equally puzzling: Why does time flow? Some physicists have given up trying to understand and call the flow of time an illusion.

Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness of the Universe

In this brilliant exploration of our cosmic environment, the renowned particle physicist and New York Times best-selling author of Warped Passages and Knocking on Heaven's Door uses her research into dark matter to illuminate the startling connections between the farthest reaches of space and life here on Earth.

Origins: The Scientific Story of Creation

What is the nature of the material world? How does it work? What is the universe and how was it formed? What is life? Where do we come from and how did we evolve? How and why do we think? What does it mean to be human? How do we know? There are many different versions of our creation story. This book tells the version according to modern science. It is a unique account, starting at the Big Bang and travelling right up to the emergence of humans as conscious intelligent beings, 13.8 billion years later.

Publisher's Summary

From acclaimed science author Jim Baggot, a pointed critique of modern theoretical physics.

In this stunning new volume, Jim Baggott argues that there is no observational or experimental evidence for many of the ideas of modern theoretical physics: Super-symmetric particles, super strings, the multiverse, the holographic principle, or the anthropic cosmological principle. These theories are not only untrue; they are not even science. They are fairy-tale physics: Fantastical, bizarre and often outrageous, perhaps even confidence-trickery. This book provides a much-needed antidote. Informed, comprehensive, and balanced, it offers lay readers the latest ideas about the nature of physical reality while clearly distinguishing between fact and fantasy. With its engaging portraits of many central figures of modern physics, including Paul Davies, John Barrow, Brian Greene, Stephen Hawking, and Leonard Susskind, it promises to be essential reading for all readers interested in what we know and don’t know about the nature of the universe and reality itself.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

It is much better than baggott's previous books, which were rather enthusiastical of the positivist copenhagen's interpretation of quantum physics. it is woven from a realist stance instead, defending einstein's realism against the dubiuos results by bell and aspect. but i am afraid it is a bit outdated, now that inflation theory has been repeatedly proved by experiments and that the infinite worlds interpretation is prevailing among scientists. so the multiverse theory is a consequence of proven theories and not a simple speculation. the same goes with string theoty, which is the best explanation of ultimate reality we have to date. so i would rather advise you to refer to tegmak's and deutsch's books on these topics. so do not take baggott's conclusions as the definitive word on present physics, but as a step towards the current interpretation of contemporary theories.

What could Jim Baggott have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

he could have revised his book with new data

Have you listened to any of Philip Rose’s other performances? How does this one compare?

i cannot compare since this is the first audiobook i hear performed by rose

In order to criticize something, you first must be able to understand it. In the first half of the book the author lays the foundation for the listener so that they can understand the criticisms coming in the second half of the book.

He explains the authorized version of reality and the parts that go into it better than any science book I have ever listened to. The listener will understand the 'standard model' of particle physics and its 20 parameters and the 'lambda-cosmic microwave background' for the cosmological model. The author doesn't miss a concept before he leads up to these current versions of reality. He steps the listener through Newton's Theory of Gravity and his crutch of absolute space and absolute time, and then Einstein and his special and general relativity and how that leads to a cosmological constant which leads to dark energy and dark matter and so on. He'll tell you about what the Higgs Boson really is and he does it even better than multiple books that I've listened to which were dedicated to the subject.

All of the background that's presented in the first half of the book leads up to his main theme that "string theory started by applying a beta function to the scatter diagrams of atomic collisions and then realizing that the points can be replaced by vibrating strings and this leads to a symmetry between fermions and bosons". Don't worry, the author explains each concept so that you'll be able to explain it over breakfast with a partner as you listen to the story. He is really that good at explaining. His real point is that string theory doesn't point to experience but relies on untested assumptions.

I don't agree with his conclusion. I think super-symmetry (string theory) is the best approach we have for connecting the very big (general relativity) with the very small (quantum theory). He want to take the metaphysics (he would say 'fairy tales') out of science by strictly obeying the corresponding theory of truth principle. Don't worry, once again the author explains everything.

This book explains physics/cosmology better than any book I have read, and he covers almost every topic I'm interested in. He doesn't miss a topic. For example, he completely tells you about Bells' Theorem and entanglement, and the measurement problem in physics, and the hierarchy problem within the standard model and how these kind of things provide motivation for another model.

Even if you don't agree with the subtitle of the book, the listener will get the best overview of physics/cosmology available from any other audible book on these topics.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

Michael

Walnut Creek, CA, United States

24/02/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Not a Lot of Fun or Anything Else"

The author attempts to present some basic principles of science, then explains his Authorized Version of Reality (a history of science), then explains some of the various cutting edge physics theories (multiverse, string theory, mathematic universe) and attempts to demonstrate these theories are unscientific.

The author presents six principles of science; Reality is a Meta-Physical concept; Facts are inherently based on a Theory; Theory formation is complex and intuitive and often involves hidden assumptions; A scientific theory must be testable, but sometimes failure of a test just leads to adjustment of assumptions; Scientific Truth is transient; and finally Humans are not privileged observers.

The book presents a history of physics and cosmology in a reasonable but uninspired way. There are a lot of books that present this stuff. I found this version somewhat dry, with no excitement, very little (or amazingly dry) humor, no insightful explanations, and no unifying theme.

The author, while presenting his Authorized Version of Reality, doesn’t seem to accept it deeply. He makes subtle, yet telling, mistakes. Like the atomic electron wave function giving a probability of where the elector is. That is not what the theory says. Instead the wave function is the probability of an interaction occurring somewhere if we look. This seems similar, but is quite fundamentally different, the first presumes the existence of an electron when it is not observed, the other does not. The author makes several such misstatements, each time subtly and incorrectly assuming the existence of unobserved particles. This is not the Authorized Version. Instead this is a physicist who thinks classically attempting to explain, and persuade about, non-classical physics.

The author also seems biased when referring to theories he likes as “discovered”, and theories he does not like as “proposed”. Again this seemed telling (and a bit funny).

Baggott does not seem to like (or understand) the Mathematical Universe of Max Tegmark. He basically calls Tegmark stupid and suggests he shut up. I just finished Tegmark’s book and found Tegmark’s history of physics and descriptions of why physicists feel the need to introduce multiverses significantly more interesting than Baggott’s. Not to mention Tegmark’s theory of a Mathematical Universe which seems both obvious and brilliant. Bagott’s refutation of the Mathematical Universe is that it does not make sense to him.

I largely agree with Baggott about non-testable aspects of multiuniverses and string-theory, but this was covered better in Smolin’s The Trouble with Physics.

Baggott seems to fear that a generation of theorists may lose their way on these paths of fairy tale physics. They may. So what? 99.9% of theorist are always on the wrong path 99.9% of the time. The final theory of everything is more likely to come from an outsider (like Einstein) anyway.

It seems to me Baggott does not realize that sticking with his Authorized Version of Reality and the historical scientific method is unlikely to make progress in our current environment. I believe the world has been poised on the edge of a final theory of everything for nearly a hundred years. Only the abandonment of some absolutely fundamental aspect(s) of his Authorized Version of Reality will lead to progress. Theorist must think outside this box. Which of the fundamental aspects must go? How far is too far? We may be quite surprised when it happens.

27 of 37 people found this review helpful

Hendrick Mcdonald

05/08/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Good Overall Survey of QM and Cosmology"

The book moves through in the first half the main topics of quantum mechanics and relativity and handles each of the components well, focusing on the concepts rather than history. From the wavefunction, duality, antimatter, symmetries, particles and forces, and formalisms. The second half focuses on 'quantum cosmology', but here gets more bogged down in the details of history: the expanding universe, Einsteins cosmological constant, dark matter, black holes, inflation, dark energy, holographic principle, multiverse.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

lostindenmark

augustenborg, Denmark

28/02/14

Overall

Performance

Story

""String theory" perhaps the Emperor has no clothes"

I have listened to numerous books audio books and read hard copy on string theory. It would appear that after 30 years and the efforts of thousands of theoretical physicists string theory has not been able to produce a single testable prediction. It was very refreshing to read an honest appraisal of the current situation and an explanation of the word "theory" in a scientific context. It was also refreshing that no reputations were spared. I would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in theoretical physics.You need to have a basic understanding of theoretical physics to get the best out of this but you do not need to be a physicist.

I am sure Jim Baggott will get some stick for writing this but more power to him.

The narration and sound quality is excellent.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

MJ Schirmer

04/02/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"Metaphysics and mysticism as science"

If one cannot falsify, prove or check a theory empirically is it science. Baggott doubts it is. I think he is right. Listen to his argument (and parallel or similar arguments by Roger Penrose. Baggott asks a tough question: if testability or predictive power on what we see isn't a criteria, how do we consistently and persuasively separate science from psuedo-science and mysticism? While my first reaction was to dismiss this as fanciful, the more I thought about modern anti-science thought and how it can (and in some cases does) use logic similar or identical to some modern physicists to justify what itself as scientific or to argue that "traditional" science is not the only or best road to knowledge. Think through what Baggott has to say. One may not agree with all of it, but he raises troubling questions.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

John

ELMONT, NY, United States

27/01/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Outstanding summary of modern physics"

Set in argumentative mode with a thesis to prove, this is done in the best tradition of scientific writing. It's informative; it is sometimes difficult but that shows the author's depth and broad knowledge of modern physics, and philosophy if I might add. It's witty and delightful in places but dead on serious in its argument.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Terri

Cairns, Australia

31/07/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"honest and well written, witty and magical"

What did you love best about Farewell to Reality?

I entirely agree with Jim Baggott . This book, in my opinion, is very realistic and well written.It reinforces, if not going a step further than “Time Reborn by Lee Smolin)” I am not qualified to pass judgement on theoretical physics, but I have to agree with the author. it sound like the judgement passed by Mr Baggot in criticising theoretical physics and addressing it as Fairytale physics, is well founded and well deserved.Unfortunately, science is a game of patience. to prove or disprove a theory can take some time. But lately scientists have been expounding theoretical work such as ‘strings, supersymmetry, SUSIE, brane worlds” works that that can only be proven mathematically.This book provides a much-needed antidote. It’s informed, comprehensive, and balanced.Baggot in Farewell to Reality and Lee Smolin inTime Reborn both are one hundred percent spot on in their assumptions. Theoretical science has become more of a religion than a proven science. I will most certainly read it again. And certainly recommend it. The book is well narrated and supremely written

Who was your favorite character and why?

The author honesty

Which character – as performed by Philip Rose – was your favorite?

Extremely credible and very professionally

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I think we need more author prepared to challenge the status quo

Any additional comments?

Worth reading it

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

James

Gulf Breeze, FL, United States

23/02/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Too bad about the narrator."

I keep trying but I just can't do it. The narrator ought to be good and you'd think so from hearing a few moments of the preview. He reads clearly in a refined British accent, but he does a sort of "I'm reading a book!" style cadence with an unnatural inflection and unnatural pauses even where it is clear there must be no comma or semicolon. He seems to follow a pattern of 8-10 syllables per set and repeats the exact same intonation as he begins a sentence, does the characteristic pause, and completes the sentence.

The result is a narration that is SO FAR from the natural way people talk and with such disregard for the flow and intentional or necessary intonation of words that my mind just tunes it out as white noise and I keep having to pull myself back to it and telling my brain 'these are words! not just the same flow of altering pitches in a repeating pattern!' as he hits the same intonation at the end of the third word (for example) in every sentence no matter what it happened to be.

That may seem petty but maybe it's just me. I'm maybe 1/4 through and just can't go on which is disappointing because after all of the well narrated books Supporting string theory and others of the genre this is really a fascinating topic and the author has done a good job. I'll probably end up buying the paperback.

3 of 6 people found this review helpful

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